James Hird’s Potential Return to AFL Coaching
James Hird, the former Essendon coach, is reportedly considering a return to senior AFL coaching. However, according to Matthew Lloyd, a former teammate and one of Essendon’s greatest players, Hird needs to first re-engage with clubland before he can realistically aim for a top coaching position.
Hird was in charge of the Bombers from 2011 to 2015, but stepped down following the fallout from the club’s supplements scandal. After several years away from the game, he made a tentative return in 2022. His initial steps back into coaching came as a part-time assistant coach with GWS, though he only spent one season with the club.
Since then, Hird has taken on a role as director of coaching at Port Melbourne in the VFL. When asked by former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire about his ideal job, Hird clearly stated that he would choose senior AFL coaching.
“You’d absolutely be a senior AFL coach, you would,” Hird said on Nine’s Footy Classified. “If you love coaching, the passion for coaching and putting a team together is the highest thrill you can get outside of playing.”
Despite this clear ambition, Lloyd believes Hird may need to take a step back to build up his experience again. He suggests that Hird should return to the AFL coaching system and work as an assistant coach to gain the necessary exposure and credibility.
“I’d like to see James go back into the AFL coaching system,” Lloyd told 3AW. “I think then he would get a (senior coaching) job within a couple of years, in my opinion. But I’m not sure being out there (in the VFL) at Port Melbourne, whether that’s holding him back.”
Lloyd compared Hird’s situation to that of Michael Voss, who worked under Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide before eventually becoming a head coach. He believes a similar path could benefit Hird.
“[Voss] worked under Ken Hinkley at Port Adelaide for a few years, he would get another opportunity, I think,” Lloyd said. “That’s what I would recommend.”
This approach mirrors the career trajectory of Collingwood great Nathan Buckley. After spending time in the media, Buckley took a role as an assistant coach at Geelong under Chris Scott before aiming for the inaugural Tassie Devils coaching position.
Similarly, Voss joined Port Adelaide in 2015 after being sacked as coach of Brisbane. He served as an assistant coach under Ken Hinkley until securing the Carlton job at the end of 2021.
Pathways to Senior Coaching
For Hird to make a successful return to senior AFL coaching, he may need to focus on rebuilding his network and gaining hands-on experience in the AFL environment. Working as an assistant coach could provide him with the necessary insights and opportunities to eventually move into a head coaching role.
Some key steps that could help Hird on this journey include:
- Building strong relationships with current AFL coaches and staff
- Demonstrating leadership and strategic thinking in a supportive role
- Showing consistency and dedication to the development of young talent
By taking these steps, Hird could position himself as a viable candidate for future senior coaching positions. The path may be long, but with the right approach, it could lead to a rewarding return to the top level of Australian football.
